Machine for folding the edges of textile and similar articles



Augf?, l92& 1,679,375

Y e. a. Rom' IACHINB POR FOLDING THB EDGBS OP TEXTILE AND SIIILIARl ARTICLES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1925 95 A Tix-:1.1.

OT l,

` "NA T10/mfr Aug. 7, 1928. 1,679,375

v E. B. ROBY CHINE FOR FOLDINGTHESEDGES OF TEXT-ILE AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed Aug. 29. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ti q Z.

"l u By Aug. 1, 192s. 5 1,679,375

E. a, `Roan! ICHINBFOR- FOLDIG THE EDQES OF TEXTILE AND SIMILAR ARTICLES Filed Aug. 29, I192s :sheets-sheet s A TTRNEY Patented' Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.l

EDWARD B. ROBY, OF NORTH TROY, NEW` YORK, ASSIGNORTO S. AND R. FOLDING MACHINE COMPANY, IN C., OF GREEN ISLAND, NEW' YORK, A

YORK.

CORPORATION OF NEW MACHINE FOR FOLDING THE EDGES OF TEXTILE AND SIMILAR ARTICLES.

Application led August 29, 1925. Serial No. 53,246.

The present invention has particular reference to and is specially adapted for operating in conjunction with av machine for folding the edges of textile and similar articles, such as collars for personal Wear, machines of this general character being shown in my prior Patents, #1,260,060, dated March 19, 191s, and #1,592,045, dated July is, i926.

The present invention has among its principal objects: to increase the speed of operation; to simplify the mechanism and reduce the cost of upkeep; to` adapt the machine for individual motor drive; to4 reduce the operating cost of the machine; and to facilitate the control of the action of the machine.

Drawings.

Figure l is a sectional elevation of a maA chine of the lcharacter mentioned, constructed and arranged in accordance With the present invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section ofthe driving mechanism, the section being on enlarged scale and taken as onv the line 2-2 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a. vertical section of the drivina' mechanism, the vieu7 being on enlarged scale, and the section being talen as on the line 3-3 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detailedvieuT in section of the driving mechanism, the section being taken as von the line 4wd in Figure 2.V

Figure 5 is a detailed view in section show ing a portion of the rewinding mechanism, the view being taken as on the line 5 5 in Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a detailed vieivof the ratchet and pawl for cooperating with the reuinding` Description,

. Referring to `Patent #1,592,045 above noted, it will be seen that the operating elements are caused to function in accordance recess 2l.

ivi-th the reciprocation of a shaft designated by the lettere in sai-d patent. Iny the present application this shaft is substituted by the plunger 20. The plunger 20 is provided on the opposite sides thereof with recesses 2l and 22, respectively. The recesses 2l and 22 are identical with those indicated in Patent :ll-1,592,045, and cooperate in the same `mlanner therein indicated With the rocking levers 23, these levers being indicated in said patent by the letters, Kir-nd M.

'It Will be noted 'the levers have short arms 2li, at the ends whereof, are rollers which traclr'onthe sides of the recesses 2l and 22 and of the plunger 20. vThe operap tion and function of the parts in Patent @592,045 corresponding with the levers 23 and parts associated therewith., is fully de scribed in said patent. The difference be` tween the construction in Isaid patent and the present application may be said'to exist principally in means for' moving the plunger 20, and means for holding the levers 23 in such position to be released simultaneously. rl'he first Aof the said mea-ns consistsV in substituting` for the power cylinder and operating means therefor of the patent, the bell crank 25 and means for operating the ksame to reciprocate saidplunger.

The second means above referred to will be found vin the employment of the toggle links 26 which lare pivotally connected uto each other. The links', 2G, areilocled in straight lines With respect to one another by means of square shoulders, 27, on the ends of said linlrs, as shown in Figures 7 and 8.

From the disclosure With reference to the levers 23 andthe links 25, it will be seen that'vvhen the crank 25 is drawn down from the position shown `in Figure l of the-draiv` ings. the levers are successively rocked, due to the difference in lengthspof the recesses 22 and 2l, respectively.` Y

By reference to Figure l of the drawings,A it will be seen that when the plunger 20 (is depress-ed, 'thel lever having a short arm 24 resting in the recess f22 is rocked ahead of the lever 23, having the short arm 24, in the It is when the latter lever 23 is rocked by the short arm 2a thereof passing out of the recess 2l, that the links l26 are straightened andloclred.

When now the plunger 20 is returned to its initial position, it will be seen that though the end of the short arm 24 aligns with the recess 21, the links 2G will prevent the lever 23 from rocking, or the short arm thereofdropping into the recess 21. When, however, by the further movement of the plunger 20 the short arm 24 cooperating with the recess 22 is brought opposite said recess 22 the pin 24a on the end of the short arm of the left hand lever 23 strikes the links 26, and the locked position of the links 26 is broken and both of the levers 23 are permitted to rock to their initial position. In passing I would say that the operation of the elements connected with the levers 23 is such as to be benefited by the delayed release of the first mentioned lever and by the sin'iultaueous release of both levers.

The bell crank 25 is mounted on a pivot shaft 28 the bearings for which are bracketed from a. collar 29, which is adjustably fixed on the lower extension 30 of the plunger 20. The plunger 20 and extension 39 thereof is guided in perforations formed in the frame 31 and bracket 32, shown best in Figure l of the drawings. The lower end of the bell crank, 25, is pivotally attached to a lever arm, 33, and the bell crank, 25, collar, 29, and, plunger, 20, are drawn down when the lever arm, 33, is rotated from the position shown in Figure l in the direction indicated by the arrow in said figure. As a preliminary to this action it will be noted, however, that the bell crank 25 rocks on the pivot shaft 28 to lift the outer end of the arm 25.

The arm 25 is operatively connected through the push lod 34, the link 35 and the set screw 3G with the pressure arm 37 of the collar edge folding machine shown in the drawings. It will be noted that when the pivot 2S which connects the bell crank 25 with the crank arm 33, has reached a point in its arc of movement where it starts to descend appreciably, the extremity of the arm 25 has been lifted to rock t-he arm 37 to place the foot plate 39 in the path of the short end 23 of the rocking lever 23 at the back of the machine.

At the very beginning of the descent of the shaft 28, the plunger 20 engages the short arm 24 of the rocking lever 23 with the result that the extension 23 is placed in the path of the foot plate 39. During the remainder of the movement of the bell crank 25 and parts associated therewith, the pivot 40 may be. said to Vconstitute the fulerum of the bell crank 25 and the center around which it moves, all thrust imparted thereto being resisted by the rod 34 and link ,In the operation of the driving mechanisxn, the crank arm 33 is rocked one half of a complete revolution, or from the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings above the driving shaft 41, to a position directly below said shaft.

The arm 33 is integrally connected with a lever arm 42. The lever arm 42 is shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings where it will be seen it has an elongated bearing 43 on the shaft 4l. At the outer extremity of the lever arm 42, the said lever arm provides a bearing for a short shaft 44. The shaft 44 is restrained from movement in one direction by a pawl 45 and a ratchet wheel 4G mounted at one end of said shaft and ou the pad 47 at the extremity of the lever arm 42. This construction can be best seen at Figure G of the drawings.

It is obvious that the pawl 45 on the pad 47 permit-s the shaft 44 to rotate freely in one direction. The said shaft 44 is impelled to move in the said direction by a spring 49. The spring 49 is anchored at one end to the said shaft and the other to the hollow wheel 50, the outer edge whereof is serrated to frietionally engage the serrated channel 5l of the internal gear ring 52, as shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings. The shaft 44 forms a core on which the spring 49 is wound. The shaft has an extended pintle 53 which extends into the space between the internal gear ring 52 and the external gear wheel 54, which construction may be seen best in'Figure 4 of the drawings.

The pintle 53 has integrally mounted thereon, a single gear tooth 55 which is adapted to mesh with the teeth on the ring 52, or the wheel 54, in accordance with the disposition of the shaft 44.

The shaft 44 is rotated constantly in one direction being impelled thereto by the spring 49 whenever the shaft is released by the escapement 56. The eseapement 56 is mounted in a housing 57 being pivotally mounted therein by means of the holt 58, as shown best in Figure 3 of the drawings. The escapement 56 has a head 59 that is designed to move successively into the path of the abutments G0, 6l and (32.

The two abutments 60 are shown in Figure 2 of the drawings as in the saine plane, while the abutments 6l and G2 are disposed in planes at opposite sides thereof. The result of this construction is that when the escapement 56 is lifted from the path of either of the abutments 60, it passes into the path of one or other of the abutment 6l or G2. The immediate result of this action is that the shaft 44 is rotated by the spring 49 and arrested in accordance with the abutment 6l or 62 with which the head 59 of the escapement 56 is engaged, and the tooth 55 on the pintle 53 engages the teeth of the ring 52 or the wheel 54 to travel thereover with the said ring or wheel carrying the free end of the lever arm 42 in accordance with the movement of the member engaged, Which members it Will be observed by reference to Figure 4 of the drawings, and the arrows shown thereon, are constantly travelling in opposite directions, being thereto impelled by means of the driving pinion 63 hereinafter described.

From the foregoing it will be understood that whenever the escapement 56 is so disposed that the head 59 thereof engages either of the abutments 60, the pintle 53 and the tooth 55 thereof are positioned as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, where the said tooth is engaged with neither the ring 52 or the wheel 54 which therefore continue to rotate without affecting the lever arm 42 and parts associated therewith.

It will be further observed that when t-he escapement is rocked to engage either the abutment 6l or the abutment 62, the pintle 53 is rotated to engage one or other of the said ring 52 or wheel 54 to move therewith to the end that the lever 42 is carried either from the position shown in Figure `l of the drawings to a position at the opposite side of said Figure l or one-half of a complete rotation about the shaft 4l.

The rocking of the escapement 56 is manually controlled. The foot lever 64 is used for this purpose. The inner end of the lever 64 is connected by a link 65 to a short arm 66 on the shaft 67.

The shaft 67 is rotatively mounted in suitable bearings and is provided at the opposite end thereof from the short arm 66, with a gear segment 68 which is rocked in correspondence with the rocking of the shaft 67 or the movement of the lever G4.

The segment 68 is suitably and permanently engaged by a pinion 69 rotatively mounted on the shaft 4l. Rigidly connected with the pinion 69 .is a` cam wheel 70. The wheel 70 has cut therein a. cam groove, said groove having levels 7l, 72 and 73, the first of which will be termed the neutral levels and the latter, tue active levels. These levels and their relation to the ring 52, wheelv54 and pintle 53, can best be seen in the diagrammatic figures 9 to l2 inclusive. Y The escapement 56 is controlled by the cam groove in the wheel 7 O, and to this end the tail of the escapement 56, has a bolt 74, the end of which rides in the cam groove of the wheel 70.

From the foregoing it will be seen that when the operator desires to rock the lever arm 42 from the position shown in Figures l and 9, to the position shown in Figure li, thereby first rocking the bell cranlr to liftthe free end of the arm 25` and pull rod connected therewith, he depresses the foot levery 64, rocking thereby the shaft 67 and segment 68 connected therewith.

As above mentioned, the lirst portion of the lever 42 and crank arm 33 connected therewith rocks the bell crank 25 on the shaft 28 as a fulcruni or pivot, with the relfever 64 is depressed, the segment 68 is rocked in the direction shown by the arrow associated therewith in Figure l. The pinion 69 and the cam wheel 70 are thereby ro 'tated on the shaft 4l to move thecam level 7 3 into the upper or vertical position in correspondence with the disposition of the bolt 74, as seen in Figure l of the drawings. The escapement 56 is rocked on the bolt 58 to release the ratchet abutment and to move the same into the path of the abutment 6l.

As soon as the head 59 of the escapement 56 passes out of engagement with the abutment 60, the spring 49 rotates the shaft 44 until arrested by the engagement olf 'the abutment 61, with the head 59. The shaft 44 being thus rocked, rotates the pintle 53 to placethe gear tooth 55 in engagement with one of the teeth ofthe ring 52, as shown in the diagram in Figure 10.

As the ring 52 is continuously rotating, and the tooth 55 is stationarily engaged therewith, the shaft 44 and lever 42 connected therewith are gyrated around the shaft 4l which also forms a bearing for the ring 52.'

It will now be observed that the wh-eel 7.0 A

remains stationary, the'operator keeping his foot on the lever 64. The result is that the bolt 74 travels through the groove .in the wheel fromthe level 73 to the level 7l through the inclined section connecting the same.

lVhen the bolt 7 4 is thus moved from the level 7 3 to the level 7l the escapement 56 is r clred vto release the abutment 61 and the spring 49 then rotates the shaft 44 until the head 59 of the cscapement is engaged by the abutment 60, when it will be found that the pintle 523 has been rocked to disengage` the tooth from the ring 52, the said pintle and the end of the lever 42 with which it is connected having been carried for approximately 1/2 complete gyration about the sha-ft 4l or from the position of the lever 42, shown in Figure 9 of the drawings to the position of the said lever shown in Figure l1 of the drawings. It is desired in this connection that it be understood that the level 7l. is a short level, while the levels 72 and 73 are relativelylong, each equalling atravel space for the bolt 74 equivalent to approxi- It will vbeiobserved that when the foot mately the 1/2 revolution of the ring 52 and wheel 54, thus insuring the rocking or gyration of the lever 42 as described from either of said positions.

The lever 112 having been thus carried from the position shown in Figure 9 to the position shown in Figure 11 no further action will occur as long as the lever Get is depressed. Vhen, however, the lever (Si is released, the spring 7 5 lifts the free end thereof carrying the link with the result that the segment GS is rocked to its original position, the wheel being reversely rotated to move the bolt 74 into the cam level 72. This arrangement causes the escapement 5G to release the second abutment GO and to engage the abutment G2, the spring 49 being now permitted, rocks the shaft let and the pintle 53 connected therewith to engage the tooth thereon with the teeth of the wheel 54. The wheel 5% travelling as it does in a direction reverse of that travelled by the ring 52, the lever l2 is rocked or gyrated back to the original position from which it moved, or to the position shown in Figure 9. Again the bolt 74 is carried out of the level 72 back to the level 71 with the result that the escapement 56 is again rocked out of engagement with the abutment G2 to be rcengaged by the abutment G0, originally engaged.

The prime mover for the mechanism is an electric motor 7G of usual construction. The lnotor 7 (3 has mounted on the armature shaft 77 thereof, a pinion 78, the teeth whereof are engaged with the teeth of a larger gear wheel 79, which is mounted rigidly on the shaft 80. At the outer end of the shaft S0 is mounted the pinion G3 that continuously operates to drive the ring 52 and the wheel 54 in the relatively opposite directions.

1t will be understood that the motor 7G and the. transmission mechanism embodying the pinion 7S, wheel 79 and pinion G3, are driven efnitinuously in one rotary direction.

By means of the arrangement of the mechanism disclosed in Figures 1, 7 and 8, the arms Q3 and mechanism associated therewith are operated to function successively. The short arm Qt of one of said levers falling into the recess 21 in precedence of the short arm 24C of the other of said levers falling into the recess Q2.

(in the down stroke of the plunger, the left-hand lever, Q3. as seen in Figure 1 is first rocked by the short arm Q1 thereof. pass ing out of the short recess 22. The right hand lever Q3 is rocked shortly afterwards when its short arm, 24, passes out of the recess Q1. The folding members operated by thc levers, 23, are therefore operated and moved in successively with a time interval between their movements. Then the two short arms of the levers have passed out of their recesses, the toggle links, 2G, are necessarily straightened and locked. Therefore on the 11p-stroke of the plunger no rocking of the levers, Q3, occurs until the short arm, Q4, of the left-hand lever .strikes the rcecss, 22,'when the left-hand lever 23 rocks and the pin 2st on the end of the short arm Q4; thereof strikes the links, 2G. breaking the toggle and pern'iitting the right hand lever Q3 to rock. Thus on the npstroke of the piston the levers 23 are substantially simultaneously rocked and the folding mcnlbers simultaneously withdrawn.

I claim:

1. In a machine as characterized a driving mechanism comprising a reciprocating member; a crank arm operatively connected with said member; means for rocking said crank arm, said means embodying rotary concentric members disposed in spaced relation and power-driven continuously in relatively oppositie directions: a lever arm operatively connected with said crank arm and adapted for alternately engaging :said concentric memliers to be move thereby.

In a. machine as characterized a driving mechanism comprising a reciprocating member; a plurality of rotary members conccn triealiy disposed in substantially the same plane, one, of said members having an inwardly faced edge, and the other an outwardly faced edge, said edges being in spaced relation; a lever arm pivotally mounted concentric with said members and pivotally connected with said reciprocating member; means for connecting said lever and said rotary members, said means embodying a rocking member pivotally connected `with said lever arm and extended between said rotary members to bc rocked for engaging alternately the edges of said rotary members. n 3. In a machine as characterized a drivmg mechanism comprising a reciprocating member; a plurality of rotary members con` centric-ally disposed in substantially the .same plane, one of said members having an inwardly faced edge, and the other an outwardly faced edge, said edges being in spaced relation; a lever arm pivotallv mdunted concentric with lsaid members and pivotally connected with said recipro 'ating member; means for connecting said lever and said rotary members, said means embodying a rocking member pivotally connected with said lever arm and extended between said rotary members to be rocked for engagingl alternately the edges of said rotary members: and automatic means for rotatiiig said rocking members; and stopping mechanism for arresting the rotation of said rocking member in opposite working positions. A

Ll. 1n a machine as characterized a driving mechanism comprising a reciprocating member: a plurality of rotary members conccntrically disposed in substantially the same plane, one of said members having an inl'lo ETI

wardly faced edge, and the other an outwardly ifaced edge, said edges being in spaced relation; a lever arm' pivotally mounted concentric with said members and pivotally connected with said reciprocating member; means for connecting said iever and said rotary members, said means embodying a reciting member pivotally connected with said lever arm and extended between said rotary meu'ibers to be rocked vfor engaging alternately the edges ot said rotary members; and automatic means lor rotating said rocking member; and stopping mechanism for arresting the rotation ot said rocking member' in opposite working positions, said stopping mechanism embodying a cam meinber having opposicely extending cam risers tor operating said stopping mecnanism.

5. ln a machine as characterized, a driving mechanism comprising a reciprocating member; a plurality of rotary members concentrically disposed in substantially the same plane, one ot said members raving an inwardly faced edge, and the other an outwardly faced edge, said edges being in spaced relation; a lever arm pivotally mounted concentric with said members and pivotally connected with said reciprocating member; means for connecting` said lever and said rotary members, said means `embodying a rocking member pivotally connected with said lever arm and extended between said rotary members to be roclred for engaging alternately the edges oi' said rotary members; and automatic means tor rotating said rocking member; and stopping mechanism for arresting the rotation ot said rocking member in opposite working positions, said stopping mechanism embodying an escapement mechanism, and a cam member tor operating said escapement mechanism for releasing said automatie mechanism for predetermined amounts of rotation of said rotary members.

6. In a machine as characterized, a driving mechanism comprising a reciprocating member; a plurality of rotary members concentrically disposed in substantially the same plane, one of said members having an inwardly faced edge, and the other an outwardly faced edge, said Yedges being in spaced relation; a ylever arm pivotally mounted concentric with said members and pivotally connected with said reciprocating member; means iiorv connect-ing said lever and said rotary members, said means embodying a rocking member pivotally connected with said lever arm and ei;- tended between said rotary 4members to be rocked for engaging alternately the edges ot said rotary members; and automatic means for rotating said rocking member; and stopping mechanism for arresting the rotation ot said rocking member in opposite working positions, said stopping mechanism embodying an escapement mechanism, and a cam member for operating said escapement mechanism ior releasing said automatic mechanism for predetermined amounts ot rotation ot said rotary members, said amounts corresponding with the quarter revolutions of said rocking member, whereby the same is placed, successively, in engagement with oneV oit said rotary members; then ont ot engagement with both rotary members; and vthen in bers.

2. In a machine as characterized, a driving mechanism comprising a reciprocating member; a plurality oi rotary members concentrically disposed in substantially the same plane, oneV ot said members having an inwardly faced edge, and the other an outwardly vfaced edge, said edges being in spaced relation; a lever arm pivotally mounted concentric with said members and pivot-ally connected with said reciprocating member; means for connectingy said lever and said rotary members, said means embodying a roclring member pivotally connected with said lever arm and extended between said rotary members to be rocked t'or engaging alternately the edges ot said rot-ary members; automatic means :tor rotating .said rocking member; stopping mechanism tor arresting the rotation ot said rocking member in opposite working positions, said stopping mechanism embodying an escapement mechanism, and a cam member for operating said escapement mechanism for releasing said 'automatic mechanism for predetermined amounts ot rotation ot said rotary members, said amounts corresponding with the quarter revolutions of said roclring member, whereby the same is placed successively in engagement with one ot said rotary niembers; then out ot' engagement with both rotary members; and then in engagement with the other rotary members; and manually operated means tor rotating said cam member, aid means embodying a mechanism tor rotating said cam from the neutral position thereof in opposite directions successively for engaging said rocking member with one or other or" said rot-ary members, saidcam being held in adjusted position by said manually operated means while said stopping iechanism is moved retractively thereover to the neutral position thereof for automatically disengaging said rocking member with said rotary member. y l

8. In a machine as characterized, a driving mechanism comprising oppositely moving power members; connecting mechanism for engaging said power members alternately tor imparting movement to said machine; said connecting mechanism embodying a rocking member tor engaging said power member; and a three rise cam for rocking said member into engagement when moved engagement with the other rotary ineinvne from the neutral rise to the positive rise to be returned to the neutral rise in the course of the movement with said power member for automatically disengaging said power member.

9. In a machine ascharacterized, a driving mechanism comprising a reciprocating member; a plurality of rotary members concentrically disposed in substantially the same plane, one of said members having an inwardly faced edge, and the other an outwardly faced edge, said edges being in spaced relation; a lever arm pivotally mounted concentric with said member-s and pivotally connected with said reciprocating member; means for connecting said lever and said rotary members, said means embodying a rocking member pivotally connected with said lever arm and extended between said rotary members to be rocked for engaging alternately the edges of said rotary members; and automatic means for rotating said rocking member, said means embodying an escapement member having abutments, and a spring for rotating the same in one direction when permitted thereto, and means embodying one or' said rotary members for rewinding 'said spring.

10. In a machine as characterized, a driving mechanism comprising a reciprocating member, said member having oppositely disposed cam-like recesses of unequal length; and a plu 'ality of operating lever arms, each having a short arm for engaging Said recesses, and resilient means for tensioning said short arms to fall in said recesses, and toggle means for mutually controlling the movement of said short arms to delay the operation of one of said levers in correspondence with the other of said levers.

EDWARD B. ROBY. 

